Not at all. By adding the appropriate layer on top,  you can wear those little dresses and still feel warm. Here are some useful “cover-up” options: 

• Shrugs need to be cropped and snug.
• Cardigans are best cropped at the waist. Longer styles can look frumpy.
• Bolero jackets can be fitted or trapeze (A-line) in silhouette depending on the style of the dress. A-line dress styles look best with short fitted bolero jackets; while straighter sheath dress styles can be matched with either. 
• Denim jackets are a casual and urban choice (especially when the wash is dark). Proportions are most flattering when the jacket is short and fitted.

Thanks to my trusty cardigans and denim jacket, I’m out of my jeans and into a dress. The extra layer also works wonders if you tend to feel exposed showing so much skin. A flirty femimine frock is always fab.

Shrug (Ann Taylor), cropped cardigan (Banana Republic) and cropped bolero (Nordstrom).

Injecting the right amount of “right now” is important because being stylish is somehow a mixture of looking both timeless and “of-the-moment”.

Here is my list of Spring and Summer “must haves”:

• Day dress – it’s a “dress season” ladies. Get out of those jeans and wear casual dresses during the day for a more of-the-moment look. Dresses don’t need to be “dressy” items saved for weddings and formal occasions. Sport the right type of dress during the day and feel fabulously feminine.
• Cropped jacket – keep them unlined, lightweight, fitted and shorter in length and you’ll add that sophisticated element to an ensemble.
• Polka dots – there is a size and mood of polka dot for everyone. Think dresses, skirts, blousy tops and shoes when it comes to spots.
• Walk shorts – sport knee-length cropped pants as a more flattering option to leg-shortening capris. 
• Patent shoes – you won’t go wrong buying patent. It’s going to be around for at least another season.
• Something bright – whether it’s yellow, cobalt, green, coral, orange, purple or pink, make sure you have an item of clothing in a cheerful hue to brighten up your day. If you’re more of a neutral type of gal, accessorize with a bright instead.
• Anything red – the colour is in a class of it’s own. Red is forever beautiful and worth the investment.
• Silver shoes – it’s the metal of the moment because it’s versatile, futuristic and a good summer neutral.
• Wedges – it’s possible to feel fashionable and grounded in this season’s wedge sandals.

For the more adventurous fashionista, there’s Lucite, a day clutch, voluminous blouses, trapeze jackets, wide–legged pants, waist belts, head bands, platform shoes and lots of hippie chic. Remember to purchase white items when you shop because summer is all about white (not black). And don’t be afraid to try something new. You might be pleasantly surprised once you’ve adapted a current trend to suit your age, body type, lifestyle and budget.

It’s not too late to shop for Spring, and you’ll hit bargains along the way. Two months left to purchase warm weather clothing. Ready, set, shop, shop, shop!

Patent yellow tote (Nordstrom), red canvas carry all (Anthropologie), floral flats (Bakers) and silver wedges (Bakers).

Red started to trend for Autumn 2006. It wasn’t forecast as a major colour for Spring 2007, but it’s everywhere. Favorable reactions to the resurgence of the colour last season have kept the trend alive and kicking for a good while longer than expected.

There seem to be more red shoe and handbag options available than any other bright. This is nifty news because red is a basic colour. Alongside staples like black, white, cream, grey, brown and tan, there’s red. All colours can be matched with the right shade of red (it’s strangely glorious combined with pink and orange). If you prefer sticking to neutrals, remember that red also falls into this category. Sport maroon or paprika instead of fire engine red if the classic feels too bold. There is a shade of red for everyone, gents and children included.

Anything red (clothing or accessories) makes my “must have” list for Spring and Summer. Take advantage of the abundance of red product that’s on hand. It’s the perfect combination of timeless and “of the moment”.

Red bag (Nordstrom) and shoes (Zappos.com).

The start of a new season and the end of an old one calls for a little extra organization. It’s a good idea to get niggly wardrobe tasks out of the way so that you can shop in your closet for Spring and Summer. Below is a checklist that I’ve found useful:

• Take coats and knitwear to the cleaners so that they are ready to wear next season.
• Pack away ski and snow gear.
• Unpack warmer weather clothes if you store them to conserve closet space in Winter.
• Take shoes and boots to be re-soled and cleaned if necessary.
• Take clothing that needs to be altered to a tailor.
• Make sure that you are wearing the correct bra. The size of our bust changes due to weight loss/gain, age and breast feeding, and it’s imperative to keep up with these changes. 60% of all women are in the wrong bra size so make sure that you aren’t one of them.
• Check white clothes for yellow armpit stains and irremovable spots. If tilex won’t remove them, pass them along.
• Scrutinize your Spring and Summer clothing. The aim is to have a fluid wardrobe that’s brimming with flattering, wearable possibilities. If this is not the case, do some closet clean up.
• Get a pedicure. Sandals will be coming out for Spring and those feet need to look the part.

Have fun adding this season’s luster to existing favourites. You’ll be sure to strike up a bargain in the two months of Summer shopping that are left.

Camisoles are an extremely important part of your wardrobe. Cropped, rigid, highly lacy, shiny and often itchy cami’s sold in underwear departments are no longer the norm. The camisole has transformed into an unfussy, longer, softer, more stretchy and superbly comfortable item that’s part of everyday outerwear. After a proper bra fitting, finding a range of camisoles that work for you is the next step.

Camisoles are fabulous because…

• They smooth out your silhouette underneath your clothes, thereby giving you a slimmer and more polished appearance.
• They make an outfit more interesting when the top and bottom peak through from underneath (either through a contrasting colour or fabrication).
• They act as a flattering layering item by deflecting the eye to your upper body.
• They give you effective coverage when you bend over (both on top and bottom).
• They can make ultra trendy looks wearable.
• They keep you warm when it’s chilly.

There are countless options. From built in-bras, solids and prints, to v-necks, lace trims and breathable cotton-rich fabrications. Express, Nordstrom and Banana Republic have a particularly good assortment at the moment. Try the concept if it’s new to you. If you already sport the look, ensure that you have a good collection. My wardrobe wouldn’t function without them.

Basic, longer camisoles are available alongside most clothing ranges.

As an adorable apple, your average to full bust, wide waist and slim legs look best in knee length dresses with straighter lines that elongate and skim over the curves of your upper body. For the most flattering effect, choose dress silhouettes that reinforce your hourglass shape, accentuate your shapely bust and highlight your lower legs.

• Empire lines with straight seams (not gathered) that emphasize the narrowest part of your torso. This will deflect the eye upward and away from your  natural waist.
• Sheath dresses with a bit of stretch for extra comfort. Keep the neckline low ( V or scooped) to lengthen the neck and look for sleeve details for variation.
• Shirtwaister dresses with pencil skirts, front ties and front-buttoning details that give you shape and structure.
• Printed wrap dresses that define your waist while the busyness of the print camouflages the tummy area.
• Draped dresses that deemphasize the midsection through design details like knots, pleats, ruffles and ruching.

Look for:

• Asymmetrical and handkerchief hemlines that deflect the eye away from the widest part of your body.
• Vertical seam details and diagonal lines that help elongate that unbroken line.

Avoid:

• Lengths that are mid-calf or longer. You’ll expose the best part of your body with a skirt that’s at the knee.
• Thin jersey knits that cling across the tummy area.

You won’t go wrong if you keep your dresses structured, stretchy, skimming and short. Sport them during the day and at night to bring out your most feminine side for Spring.

A printed wrap, a bias cut with vertical seaming (created through the ruffle detail) and diagonal lines, an empire cut with a straight seam and a draped dress with ruched waistband and front pleat detail (Nordstrom and Macy’s).

Gap’s Forth & Towne is due to close on 15th June. As a result their Spring lines are going for a song until they close their doors for good. They stock casual and dressy attire from sizes 2-20. Their shoes and handbags are both modern and classic and well worth a look.

Cash in on their chic clothing and impeccable accessories over the next 6 weeks while stocks last. I’ve personally got my eye on a snake skin tote and woven straw clutch.

There isn’t a single item that I can think of! Last season’s fashion fads (skinnies, leggings, romantic ruffle blouses, bubble skirts, jailbird stripes, walk shorts, wide waist belts, metallic shoes and handbags, gladiator thong sandals and chunky long chains) are still stylish. Continue wearing modern black & white combinations and bring new life to neutral pieces by layering them in interesting ways. 

Evolve your Spring look by adding day dresses, wide-legged pants, cropped jackets, polka dots, bright accessories and tops, wedges, patent shoes and an oversized day clutch. And, of course, by incorporating white. Voila!

Spring 2007 promised us an explosion of bright colours. While we’ve seen smatterings of yellow, cobalt, coral and green clothing, there’s still a fortune of black, white, brown and beige around. A substantial part of the colour for Spring in American retail stores is represented by accessories rather than clothing.

As a lover of bright colours, I’ve felt a dash disappointed. After two back-to-back strong Black & White seasons (Spring and Winter 2006), my clients and I have been champing at the bit for anything that’s not a neutral. US retailers J. Crew and Macy’s have been colour leaders this season along with Spanish stores Zara and Mango; but I still feel that Spring could have been more colourful.

I spoke to a few major chain stores about my disappointment. Their feedback was unanimous: American retailers have often “overdone” bright clothing in the past and reams of rainbow coloured items have found themselves on markdown rails as the result of poor sales. So fashion buyers are cautious this time around. Still, the likes of Ann Taylor, The Loft,  Nordstrom, The Gap, Banana Republic, The Limited and Express reassured me that brights like red, turquoise, yellow, blue, green and pink would surface in May.

Part of my shopping faith was restored at Express yesterday as rails of brightly coloured walk shorts, blousy tops and camisoles were being unpacked.  Hold on to your fashion dollars for a week or two if it’s colours that you’re after. Brights are on the way in May.

Wide-legged pants and jeans are trendy this season, but you need to coordinate them with the right tops and shoes for the most flattering effect.

• Voluminous tops need to be soft and cinched in at the waist because “volume on top of volume” makes for a shapeless silhouette.
• Form-fitting tops automatically balance out roomier bottom proportions and are the best choice.

When it comes to shoes, heels look best with wide-legged pants even if it’s just an inch of lift. Flattering, leg-lengthening height balances out the width of the pants. Remember to sport the right pant length with whatever shoe you choose.

The shapeless bubble top (left) is trendy, but not as flattering over wide-legged pants as the form-fitting option of a tailored shirt and jacket (right).